[Page S3956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO MEET


                      committee on armed services

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the 
Senate on April 19, 2005, at 9:30 a.m., in open session to consider the 
following nominations: (1) Honorable Gordon R. England to be Deputy 
Secretary of Defense; and (2) Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN, for 
reappointment to the grade of Admiral and to be Chief of Naval 
Operations.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


            committee on banking, housing, and urban affairs

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the 
session of the Senate on April 19, 2005, at 3 p.m., to conduct a 
hearing on ``Proposals for Improving the Regulation of the Housing 
Government Sponsored Enterprises.''
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


               committee on energy and natural resources

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the 
session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 19, at 10 a.m. in room SD-366.
  The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony concerning 
offshore hydrocarbon production and the future of alternate energy 
resources on the Outer Continental Shelf. Issues to be discussed 
include: recent technological advancements made in the offshore 
exploration and production of traditional forms of energy, and the 
future of deep shelf and deepwater production. Enhancements in worker 
safety, and steps taken by the offshore oil and gas industry to meet 
environmental challenges. Participants in the hearing will also address 
ways that the Federal Government can facilitate increased exploration 
and production offshore while protecting the environment. New 
approaches to help diversify the offshore energy mix will also be 
discussed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                          committee on finance

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Finance be authorized to meet in open Executive Session during the 
session on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at 10 a.m., to consider an original 
bill entitled, ``Highway Reauthorization and Excise Tax Simplification 
Act of 2005'' and, S. 661, ``the United States Tax Court Modernization 
Act''.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


          Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to hold a 
hearing during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 
10 a.m. in SD-430.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                     Committee on Veterans' Affairs

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the 
Senate on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, to mark up the nomination of Mr. 
Jonathan B. Perlin to be Under Secretary for Health, Department of 
Veterans' Affairs; and to hold a Committee hearing titled ``Back from 
the Battlefield, Part II: Seamless Transition to Civilian Life.''.
  The meeting will take place in room 418 of the Russell Senate Office 
Building at 10:15 a.m.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                    select committee on intelligence

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select 
Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of 
the Senate on April 19, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. to hold a hearing.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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